os-alt

self-host the SaaS you're paying for

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Chatwoot vs Zammad

Self-host pick — both replace Zendesk (Customer support / helpdesk).

Both Chatwoot and Zammad self-host as a replacement for Zendesk (Customer support / helpdesk). Pick Chatwoot if you want the lighter footprint — 20min docker-compose, $10 vps — postgres + redis + rails app. Pick Zammad if you need teams that need ITIL-ish workflows + multi-channel (email, telephony, chat) — 30min docker-compose and $10 vps — elasticsearch + postgres + rails.

Chatwootopen-sourceZammadopen-source
LicenseMIT (Community Edition) / Enterprise license for some featuresAGPL-3.0
Setup time20min docker-compose30min docker-compose
Monthly cost$10 VPS — Postgres + Redis + Rails app.$10 VPS — Elasticsearch + Postgres + Rails.
GitHubchatwoot/chatwoot ★ 29.2k · last commit todayalivezammad/zammad ★ 5.61k · last commit todayalive
ReplacesZendesk + 2 otherZendesk

Good fit for

Chatwoot

Teams that want chat + email + social inbox in one tool.

Weak at:Some advanced reporting + audit features are Enterprise-only.

Zammad

Teams that need ITIL-ish workflows + multi-channel (email, telephony, chat).

Weak at:Setup is heavier than Chatwoot or FreeScout.

In a terminal? npx -y github:SolvoHQ/os-alt-cli zendesk prints Zendesk's self-host options including both — how the CLI works →

FAQ

Which is easier to self-host, Chatwoot or Zammad?

Chatwoot: 20min docker-compose. Zammad: 30min docker-compose.

What does each cost to run?

Chatwoot: $10 VPS — Postgres + Redis + Rails app.. Zammad: $10 VPS — Elasticsearch + Postgres + Rails.. Both projects are free and open source.

Do Chatwoot and Zammad replace the same SaaS?

Yes — both are open-source alternatives to Zendesk.